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Love and Reform: a chamber operetta

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Abstract

"Love and Reform" is a chamber operetta composed from a libretto written by the
composer for female narrator, soprano, tenor, bass, and string quintet. The drama is an
Epicurean satire concerning the imagined afterlife of recently deceased Emperor Joseph
II of Austria (1765-1790). The language of the libretto combines ironically antique
verbiage with a bawdiness characteristic of early French operetta. A pastiche of the light
and pseudo-serious musical idioms, the music of "Love and Reform" avoids stylistic
unity in favor of juxtaposing drastically different musical types for comic effect. To this
end, the string ensemble often mimics other instruments and musical genres. An
arpeggio figure reminiscent of continuo figuration serves as a motto to signify changes in
mood or plot, and likewise, portamento figures evoke the sound of a slide guitar playing
blues music. Frequent internal musical references to previously heard arias and
recitative figures help to create dramatic and musical cohesion, and function like
leitmotifs. The opening motive, constructed from perfect fifths moving in contrary
motion by minor second, becomes symbolic of Joseph's 'suffering'. In contrast, a
recurring passage constructed from common practice materials represents Joseph's
'idealism'. Jazz rhythms, blues-like harmonies, and linear chromatic writing are all prominently featured throughout the work. "Love and Reform" ends in a ghostly
quotation of Beethoven's early memorial cantata "On the Death of Emperor Joseph II".

Table of Contents

Origins of the work -- Characters, instrumentation, costume and staging -- No.1: Prologue -- No.2: Here! Here lies Joseph -- No.3: Newspaper duet -- No.4: My dream -- No.5: Drink to more and worry the less -- No.6: A handsome exercise in ballad -- No.7: Once the time was kind -- No.8: Kaia's arrival -- No.9: Interlude -- No.10: Before the creation -- No.11: Oh, great void -- No.12: I ever-reach to catch a falling world -- No. 13: But what of you and Lucifer -- No. 14: King of hearts -- No. 15: Why are you tormenting Joseph -- No. 16: I must leave now -- No. 17: Epilogue